Product Announcements – Page 72 – The Motor Pool

Unimax Decides Upon Some Name Dropping for 2013

Recognizing that a legendary ace helps to spur sales, Unimax has decided to leverage two venerable names from the pages of military history for their early 2013 range. Armor enthusiasts should have no trouble with the name Otto Carius, the diminutive panzer ace who commanded both a TIger I heavy tank and later a Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyer. Their latest 1:32 scale Jagdtiger (#UNI80078) bears his turret identification number ‘201’, which was attached to schwere panzerjager abteilung 512 in the waning stages of WWII.

Also expected is Unimax’ first ever 1:72 scale rendition of a McDonnell F-4J Phantom II fighter-bomber, which bears the ignominious number “100” on its fuselage, signalling its place in history as “Showtime 100” (UNI85021). Piloted by Randy “Duke” Cunningham, this F-4 was famously connected with the supposed North Vietnamese ace, Colonel Toon, during the latter stages of the Vietnam Conflict. Look for both new entrants later this spring.

Share This:

Unimax Puts to Sea with the British Admiralty

As part of their early 2013 lineup, Unimax, the makers of the Forces of Valor military vehicle, aircraft and warship range, have announced plans to offer a 1:700 scale reproduction of the HMS Ark Royal (91) (UNI86007). Bundled with all sorts of early WWII-era aircraft such as the Fairey Swordfish, their latest addition to their fleet of diecast warships will probably set sail some time in April. The pre-order window is now open and we hope to have some additional product announcements up shortly.

Share This:

Signature Models Turns Back Time

One of our European distributors informs us that they will soon be offering modified 1:43 scale Signature Models that come complete with historical figures. Based upon a 1938 Grand Merecedes 770K Cabriolet ceremonial parade limousine, (#MMSIG43700) portrays a vehicle with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and six of his party officials as they drove through the streets of Vienna, Austria, after the Anschluss in 1938.

The second vehicle (MMSIG43701) depicts a 1938 Grand Merecedes 770K sedan as it arrives at the Hotel Nido dell Aquila del Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. As is typically the case with these bundled sets, they sell out very fast and are oftentimes made in very limited numbers that are difficult to find years hence.

Share This:

The Collectors Showcase Explains, “You Can Never Have Enough Wittmann Tributes”

Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.

Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.

Share This:

The Collectors Showcase Explains, "You Can Never Have Enough Wittmann Tributes"

Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.

Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.

Share This:

The Collectors Showcase Storms Ashore at Omaha Beach

Quiet for several weeks, The Collectors Showcase has begun to shed light on the first batch of new products expected in 2013. Likely due out in February, their first set of figures is based around the US 2nd Infantry Division after it moved inland from Omaha Beach in Normandy. Several figure sets will be offered along with a 1:30 scale reproduction of a 57mm anti-tank gun. Look for further product details in the days ahead.

Share This:

Hobby Master “Seeks, Strikes and Destroys” in 2013

As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).

In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.

Share This:

Hobby Master "Seeks, Strikes and Destroys" in 2013

As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).

In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.

Share This:

Dragon Goes for a Dip

Images have now been posted for Dragon’s second take on its 1:72 scale Ka-Mi amphibious tank. Painted in a light ocean blue pattern, their latest Imperial Japanese Navy tank represents a vehicle tied to the 27th Naval Special Ground Base Guard, then located at Aitape, New Guinea, during July-August 1944 (DRA60584). Dragon is claiming a February release, even though their first look at the Ka-Mi has yet to hit the surf.

Share This:

Dragon Fans Out For Our Winter of Discontent

Admittedly, we’ve let our action figures section tail off of late, largely because there really hasn’t been anything to crow about lately. Well, the dry spell seems to have run its course and now it appears as if a truly awe-inspiring product is about to see the light of day. According to Dragon, their 13th Anniversary figure, “Igor Ivanovich Bazarov”, is nearing release, and already looks to be a winner (DRF70385). This all-new light machine gunner comes complete with an Aerosan RF-8 which is a type of propeller-driven snowmobile, running on skis, used for communications, mail deliveries, medical aid, emergency recovery and border patrolling in northern Russia, as well as for recreation. Aerosanis were used by the Soviet Red Army during the Winter War and World War II.

According to research, the first aerosanis may have been built between 1903-05 by Sergei Nezhdanovsky. In 1909–10 young Igor Sikorsky tested self designed aerosani, before he built multi-engine airplanes and helicopters. They were very light plywood vehicles on skis, propelled by old airplane engines and propellers.

Priced at $269.99, this is a marvelous way of reintroducing enthusiasts to the world of action figures and a terrific centerpiece to anyone’s military replica collection.

Share This: